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Category Archives: Petite Coats and Jackets

While perusing the sales, I came across some new offerings from Nanette Lepore for Spring 2009. I always gravitate towards coats and jackets, even though I live in sunny Los Angeles and can only wear them for about 2 months out of the year. Despite this fact, I was instantly attracted to this little number:

This coat in size XS gets a big thumbs up! Cut very small in the chest, torso and shoulder, this coat fit fantastically. It hit me a little higher than mid thigh, which is a great length to wear with jeans, or over a cute springtime dress. The only alteration it might need would be to get the sleeves shortened. If not for the fact I already own several red coats, this baby would be hanging in my closet right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed I’ll come across it in a different color!

This coat in XS was TOO BIG! The shoulders were too broad, the torso was too big, and the flare at the bottom was too bulky for my small frame. Too bad because it was pretty cute and I’m a sucker for anything belted.

*sigh*

So, the moral of the story is…snatch up the tiny Nanette Lepore “Campfire” jacket to wear with all your stylish spring ensembles…just make sure you leave one for me!

I love trench coats, therefore, I love the ultimate classic, Burberry. I pined for them from afar, but had convinced myself they would be too big. Then, the fantastic man in my life gave me a big Burberry box for Christmas last year (thanks babe!), and now I’m hooked.

Burberry runs pretty small…and if you buy from a Burberry boutique, the alterations are FREE! Getting my coat altered was a wonderful experience with the luxury brand, and I highly recommend the Beverly Hills Burberry boutique to anyone who’s in the area.

My first trench was the classic and always available Harbourne. The Harbourne is cut to end mid thigh on a taller person, so on a petite, it will end closer to the knee. The smallest size is a US 2 (UK 4), and the coat is alterable. I had the sleeves on my coat shortened, and because I like my coats fitted, I had the chest taken in just a bit. If you live in a cold climate and layer under coats, then the width of the chest will probably be perfect without alterations. Another option is to get the trench shortened, but I kept mine near the knee.

My latest acquisition is the Burberry Ledstone Trench in Military Red (my favorite color!). My favorite feature about this coat is the buttons are spaced closely together, which makes it easier to wear the coat open without a bunch of extra fabric flapping around. This coat hits me near the knee, and again I had the sleeves shortened and the chest taken in.

Trench coats have been a chic and stylish part of a woman’s wardrobe for decades, so a Burberry coat can be viewed as an investment piece.And if you still need more convincing, here are two more stylish girls in great trench coats:

Nanette Lepore designs fun and girly pieces with unique details, and luckily, her jackets are cut small! I picked up this beauty from bluefly.com in a size 0, and am really happy with it. Nanette Lepore jackets are cut slim in the bust and torso, and are often cut in a shrunken length, with a little flair at the bottom that works to accentuate a tiny waist. I’ve also tried on a few other jacket styles in department stores, and have been happy to see most designs are flatteringly tiny.I had to get the sleeves hemmed on this jacket, which is an easy alteration and not costly. Also, some jackets are cut smaller than others, so try them all on!

Nanette Lepore jacket, Paige jeans, Christian Louboutin shoes

Unfortunately, not everything from this designer works. Her bottoms are generally cut pretty large, and I can never find size 0’s in tops or dresses to try on, so I am unsure about the fit of the rest of her line at this time.

My closet would be in a sad state if it weren’t for the Banana Republic Petites line. While not everything works, I find a few gems here and there. The BR aesthetic is pretty close to my person style, so it has been a great resource for me. The petite XS and petite 00 items either fit just right, or seem to be about 1 size too big. Here is a rundown of what the fit has been for me so far:

Tops/Blouses:
I put the tops in 3 categories: silky, button down, and rayon/stretchy.

Silky tops in PXS always fit about 1-2 sizes too large on me. This includes the bust, waist and sleeve. I suppose a tailor could make one work, but it would need to be altered to within an inch of it’s life, and I’m a little nervous to take that leap. For instance, this top looked ridiculous on me. The puff sleeve certainly doesn’t help.

Petite silk tie-neck blouse

Button down “work” shirts in PXS are always about 1 size too big. The sides could be taken in easily enough by a tailor, but I’ve found the shoulder is also a little big, and might be more difficult to take in. Try it if you’re brave!

Rayon/stretchy tops in PXS usually fit pretty well. The stretchy fabric certainly helps the fit, since they’re cut smaller. Most of the things from BR I own are of this variety. For example, this top fit me fantastically!

Petite sleeveless tie-neck top (rayon/spandex)

Jackets:

I’ve found a few blazers in P00 that have worked me, and each one has had the word “stretch” on the label. Go figure, since the stretchy fabric garments are cut smaller right? Look for things that say “stretch”, and there’s a chance it’ll fit.

Pants:

Just like with the jackets, the P00 pants that have the word “stretch” somewhere on the label have worked for me in the past. However, I still have needed the waist taken in just a bit, but this is an easy alteration, and not really a big deal. My favorite cut was the Ryan, since it was a little slimmer and sat lower on the waist (I’m short-waisted, so lower waists on pants are more flattering), however, I haven’t seen the Ryan cut in a while, and think BR is phasing it out. So sad! I really hate the wide leg trouser look this fall/winter, as my little legs get lost in all that fabric! Oh well, maybe fitted trousers will come back in soon. If need be, a tailor can slim the legs on your trousers.

Petite plaid houndstooth wide-leg pant (way too wide for tiny legs!)

Jeans:

Forget it! BR jeans run big all over. The waist, thigh, and leg are always huge on me. I’ll pay for premium denim that fits WAY better any day!

Dresses and Skirts:

BR dresses and skirts in PXS and P00 run about 1 size too big. On dresses, I find the shoulders a little big, and the chest seaming too low, so the girls are never where they should be. The sides usually need some taking in, and the hem is usually just a tad too long. The dresses that have the most promise after easy alterations are the silk sheath dresses. Just get the sides taken in a bit, and, wallah! Perfect. Similar to the dresses, the hem of the skirts is usually a little too long, and the waist has always been too big, so that they sit on the low hip instead of the low waist where it should be.

All in all, BR petites is definitely worth checking out! There are gems to be found, and with some simple alterations, most items will work well.